The A’s have been dumping players left and right this off season and there will be more to come. Dan Johnson, Eric Chavez, Joe Blanton, Rich Harden, Huston Street and Alan Embree are still on the block and likely to be moved before Opening Day. You know it’s bad when the A’s are raiding the Royals for bats but that’s what they’ve done this off-season bringing in outfielder Emil Brown and 1B/DH Mike Sweeney. Ryan Sweeney, Carlos Gonzalez and Jeff Fiorentino have been brought to Oakland in trades and they will compete with Chris Denorfia for the starting job in center field for the A’s in 2008. The trades of Marco Scutaro and Dan Haren brought in some talented arms to compete for future jobs in the rotation but none of them are likely to be ready for the 2008 season. But, lefty Gio Gonzalez who was acquired from the White Sox in the Nick Swisher trade could win a spot in the A’s rotation out of spring training and he has a nice upside. Kirk Saarloos and Keith Foulke were brought back by the A’s to give the pitching staff some experience.